Raiders CB Nick Nelson was schooled by a pro

Raiders rookie cornerback Nick Nelson was coached by a former undrafted free-agent NFL safety while at the University of Wisconsin, and he’s a better player for it.

Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard played 10 seasons in the NFL with the Bills, Jets, Broncos and Browns. He appeared in 142 games over his career (73 starts), amassing an impressive 14 interceptions.

Raiders coach Jon Gruden talked about Wisconsin’s reputation and what he expects from Nelson during media availability at the start of rookie minicamp.

“[He’s a] good, young corner. He has versatility to play outside and in the slot, and he’s been well-coached,” Gruden said of Nelson from rookie minicamp. “I really think a lot of the Wisconsin defense, the program they run and the versatility that they ask their guys to have.”

Nelson set a team record for passes defensed in a season during his only campaign in Madison with 21, although he had zero interceptions in his college career. The Raiders new CB measures 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, and he ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.

His draft stock suffered after he sustained a torn meniscus in his knee during a private workout with the Lions, but the fourth-round selection will be ready by training camp according to Gruden. He started his collegiate career at Hawaii but moved on to Wisconsin, where he met the former undrafted safety.

Leonhard coached Nelson on the playing field for just one season, but on the practice field, it was two. Nelson had to sit out one year per NCAA transfer rules, and he made good use of his time leading up to 2017, according to Leonhard via the Journal Times’s Jason Galloway.

“He came out to get better. It was pretty impressive, his attitude towards everything,” Leonhard said of Nelson, per Galloway. “Now this year he’s taking it up a notch again.”

The Raiders are looking for Nelson to keep improving at the pro level. Oakland has solidified its cornerback depth via free agency, but Nelson could be an inexpensive solution during his rookie deal. General manager Reggie McKenzie is set to sign defensive end Khalil Mack to a huge contract, and wide receiver Amari Cooper may not be far behind Mack in regards to a pay raise.

Nelson believes Leonhard, who also played football at Wisconsin and stands 5-foot-8, gave him tools for success in 2018 and beyond.

“A lot of this stuff he taught me, a lot of the little stuff,” Nelson said during media availability after the Raiders selected him. “You couldn’t get that from any another coach.”